The new Israeli elections that will be held on January 28, 2003
highlight the deep political crisis that has paralysed the Israeli
political system. The elections come at a time of deepening economy
crisis. At the same time no solution is in sight to the ongoing
conflict in the Palestinian territories. A.Kramer in Israel explains
that Israeli workers can expect nothing from the main contenders in
these elections and stresses the need for a working class based
socialist alternative.

An update on the build up to the forthcoming elections in Israel. The
Likud party has been hit by corruption scandals. The Labour Party in
the past has also been affected by such scandals. This highlights the
corrupt nature of the whole regime.

Sharon's victory in yesterday's Israeli elections was a foregone
conclusion. The Israeli right wing's position in the Knesset [Israeli
parliament] has now been consolidated as never before. A superficial
examination of these voting patterns would indeed lead to a very
pessimistic view of the situation. But if we look a little closer at
the process a different picture emerges. On the basis of a closer
analysis no one can say that all the Israeli people voted for Sharon!
Far from it!